Lewis Hamilton remains one of the most beloved figures in Brazil, having triumphed at Interlagos on three separate occasions during his illustrious Formula 1 career. However, the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix proved disastrous for Ferrari, as both of their drivers failed to finish the race on Sunday.
Charles Leclerc’s race ended prematurely after a collision involving Oscar Piastri and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. While the Monegasque did not place the blame solely on the Australian, the impact from Kimi Antonelli severely damaged his front suspension, eliminating any chance of scoring points.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton endured a chaotic first lap. The Ferrari star made contact with teammate Carlos Sainz before colliding with the rear of Franco Colapinto’s Alpine. The incident caused irreparable floor damage and earned Lewis Hamilton a five-second penalty, extinguishing any hope of claiming his eighth podium in Brazil.
After the race, Lewis Hamilton described his debut season with Ferrari as a “nightmare,” reflecting his growing frustration at the team’s struggles in 2025. The incidents at Interlagos only amplified concerns about the Maranello outfit’s ability to compete effectively under the new technical regulations set for 2026.
Motorsport journalist Ben Hunt weighed in on Lewis Hamilton’s comments during the Inside the Piranha Club Podcast, noting that Ferrari’s ongoing issues should be considered a major red flag for next season. Hunt explained that the team’s lack of consistency and unclear performance trajectory is worrying, particularly as major regulation changes approach.
Hunt said that while there was optimism heading into the Brazilian GP, the team’s inability to maintain steady progress—despite occasional strong performances—highlights a structural problem. Ferrari’s engineers appear unable to identify why the car performs well one week and poorly the next, reminiscent of past reliability issues seen with Mercedes. According to Hunt, this lack of clarity and cohesion “should be a huge concern going into 2026 with the big regulation change.”
Compounding Ferrari’s challenges, chairman John Elkann publicly criticised Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Speaking at an Italian Olympic Committee event, John Elkann acknowledged the team’s mechanical and engineering efforts but questioned the drivers’ focus. He implied that both the Briton and the Monegasque should concentrate more on driving and less on media statements, stressing the importance of remaining competitive in the race for second place in the constructors’ championship.
Elkann stated that while Ferrari mechanics excel in pit stops and the engineers have made progress with car development, the rest of the team—including the drivers—had not met expectations. His comments, however, risked alienating Ferrari’s key drivers, particularly Leclerc, who has dedicated his entire F1 career to the Scuderia but has yet to secure a championship-capable car.
Leclerc’s long-term commitment to Ferrari, spanning seven seasons, has made him a target for rival teams such as Red Bull, and Elkann’s public critique could backfire if either Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc begins to consider alternative opportunities. As the team approaches the final rounds of the 2025 season and prepares for the sweeping 2026 regulation changes, the relationship between management and drivers will be crucial in determining Ferrari’s competitiveness and ability to challenge for both titles in the upcoming season.
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